Rode Schooner last time I was there. That trail is badass.
Took about 2 hrs to go, what, two miles?

I think it's around 4 miles, but still...

12-18-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by s0ckeyeus

I think it's around 4 miles, but still...

Feels like twenty :D

12-21-2012

WasteMindu

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

Rode Schooner last time I was there. That trail is badass.
Took about 2 hrs to go, what, two miles?

The entrances are pretty wicked. Me and the guy who went talked about walking those and then riding the trail just to see how crazy it gets. Walnut was pretty crazy, but we had never rode a black diamond trail before so we had no idea what to expect.

12-21-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by WasteMindu

The entrances are pretty wicked. Me and the guy who went talked about walking those and then riding the trail just to see how crazy it gets. Walnut was pretty crazy, but we had never rode a black diamond trail before so we had no idea what to expect.

Those are called gatekeepers.
Sort of a warning to keep those who don't belong there away. It's saying, "If you can't ride this, you may want to turn around."

12-23-2012

DrDon

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

Those are called gatekeepers.
Sort of a warning to keep those who don't belong there away. It's saying, "If you can't ride this, you may want to turn around."

I'm too dense to figure that out. The entrance I usually use is easy, then you're ensnared.

12-23-2012

gmcttr

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

Rode Schooner last time I was there. That trail is badass.
Took about 2 hrs to go, what, two miles?

:p I hike it faster then that....but I don't carry my bike when I hike (and I don't bike Schooner).:D

Congrats for giving it a ride.

12-24-2012

WasteMindu

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

Those are called gatekeepers.
Sort of a warning to keep those who don't belong there away. It's saying, "If you can't ride this, you may want to turn around."

We talk to a guy who was from Cincy like us and he actually suggested that we walk the trail just to experience it. After doing Walnut, I would attempt Schooner just to see how it flows, but i will still walk the entrances for time. Getting a new Hobgoblin around tax time, so I should be a bit more comfortable on the trail, not to mention it will be the correct size for me, right now I am riding a 18" and I am 6'4.

12-26-2012

kimikaw

I'm dying to know what the feature is on Schooner that keeps being mentioned as one most people *should* walk. Watched a couple of youtube videos of the trail, and am not sure what is that piece (or if its even shown as the rider did walk it and edited out of video).

When I rode Walnut Trace, I saw the entrance to Schooner and realized the gatekeeper aspect of the set up. Until I am comfortable riding the entrance, have no desire to ride the rest. tho' one of these days I do want to hike it. Hear its beautiful.

On the drive down from Milwaukee to Nashville on Saturday, killed me to be driving past the Columbus/Nashville/BCSP exit off I-65...and not being able to stop and ride.

12-26-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimikaw

I'm dying to know what the feature is on Schooner that keeps being mentioned as one most people *should* walk. Watched a couple of youtube videos of the trail, and am not sure what is that piece (or if its even shown as the rider did walk it and edited out of video).

When I rode Walnut Trace, I saw the entrance to Schooner and realized the gatekeeper aspect of the set up. Until I am comfortable riding the entrance, have no desire to ride the rest. tho' one of these days I do want to hike it. Hear its beautiful.

On the drive down from Milwaukee to Nashville on Saturday, killed me to be driving past the Columbus/Nashville/BCSP exit off I-65...and not being able to stop and ride.

There's one section that's way beyond my level. It's a combination hard left turn and 3' drop, all in a complete rock garden with a possible high price of failure.
I comfortably ride the gatekeepers but I won't even try this section.

12-26-2012

Fett

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

There's one section that's way beyond my level. It's a combination hard left turn and 3' drop, all in a complete rock garden with a possible high price of failure.
I comfortably ride the gatekeepers but I won't even try this section.

If you go in the Hesitation Point Entrance of Schooner, there is a hard left hander about 1/4 mile in, that has a steep short descent with lots of rocks and a rocky drop off to the right side. I have made it down once, but it was more of a controlled fall. It is the scariest feature of the trail. The sharp left prior to the descent makes it tough to set up for the descent unless you have serious trials skills.

The rest of it is tough but rideable (although every feature is not rideable from either direction). I have lots of reps on Schooner and it usually bites me somewhere. You have to be on your game the entire trail.

12-27-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxtar

There's one section that's way beyond my level. It's a combination hard left turn and 3' drop, all in a complete rock garden with a possible high price of failure.
I comfortably ride the gatekeepers but I won't even try this section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fett

If you go in the Hesitation Point Entrance of Schooner, there is a hard left hander about 1/4 mile in, that has a steep short descent with lots of rocks and a rocky drop off to the right side. I have made it down once, but it was more of a controlled fall. It is the scariest feature of the trail. The sharp left prior to the descent makes it tough to set up for the descent unless you have serious trials skills.

The rest of it is tough but rideable (although every feature is not rideable from either direction). I have lots of reps on Schooner and it usually bites me somewhere. You have to be on your game the entire trail.

That's the one.
Props for cleaning it. Hell, props for trying it. :thumbsup: Twice I've ridden it up to the drop and then pussied out both times.

12-27-2012

Kronk

I have not tried the part roxtar and Fett mentioned yet.
Up would be harder with the approach, but I bet someone has cleared it.

So far I have not made the entrance at the Hoosier's Nest end without leaning on the tree, or over the tree that's about 18" or so high.

Oh, I have gone down, but not up the groove next to the rock really tight switchback.

Other parts I make one day, but not another.

12-28-2012

zephxiii

hehe i want to at least walk Schooner next time i am down....it looks interesting to explore if anything...and i want to get some nice photos of it.

12-29-2012

WasteMindu

1 Attachment(s)

Here is the 1st entrance going towards HP. We stopped and wondered how anyone can do this, hahaha.

12-29-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by WasteMindu

Here is the 1st entrance going towards HP. We stopped and wondered how anyone can do this, hahaha.

That's the easier entrance but the harder exit :cornut:

Going down is pretty straightforward; just ride down the steps. Gravity does all the work.
Going up? Not so much.

12-29-2012

indytrekracer

Xmas present

Mi Wife really surprised me with a canvas of me on riding that entrance on Schooner.

It took me 3 or 4 tries, but i was able to clear it once. The bike in the picture has given its life to allow me to ride silly stuff like this (cracked weld). So I have a new bike build specifically for Schooner

The photo is in the room with the indoor trainer and should help to motivate me for the Schooner Shakedown.

This tt on Schooner Trace will be part of the Great Lakes Regional meeting and will be the most technical TT in the Region.

12-29-2012

Kronk

Iindytrekracer, you got on your 3rd try that day.

I still end up pausing to lean on the tree in your pic after 10 attempts.

If the knee does OK over the winter, I will go for the Schooner Shakedown. See how much I can embarrass myself in front of others.

12-31-2012

roxtar

Quote:

Originally Posted by indytrekracer

Mi Wife really surprised me with a canvas of me on riding that entrance on Schooner.

It took me 3 or 4 tries, but i was able to clear it once. The bike in the picture has given its life to allow me to ride silly stuff like this (cracked weld). So I have a new bike build specifically for Schooner

The photo is in the room with the indoor trainer and should help to motivate me for the Schooner Shakedown.

This tt on Schooner Trace will be part of the Great Lakes Regional meeting and will be the most technical TT in the Region.

That's awesome, Props to her.
I love Schooner but not enough to buy a bike just for it ;)

That TT sounds very cool. I'll be there if we still live in the midwest.
They should really consider adding penalties for dismounting. That would keep the XC speed guys from making it a CX style race where they just hop off and run the obstacles.

01-01-2013

kimikaw

Huge thanks to Roxtar and Fett for helping unravel the mystery about the (especially) hard feature on that trail. Great to know which end it is located - helps if we decide to hike in a bit, knowing where to start. Which end is the cave that had the bobcat a couple years ago (for some reason I think that's at the Walnut end).

Womens Clinic weekend can't come son enough, my next for sure time to be down that way. Tho' am wondering if I can sneak a spring visit onto the start or end of a biz trip to Indy (might be worth driving down versus my usual flying in and out when I have work meetings there).

In the meantime, my phone lock screen will have to suffice

02-14-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

I live in the Brown County area, and I must say, I can't get enough of these trails. It is nice to be able to go whenever you'd like. If you get to Columbus, Ind. Make sure to check out a LBS called "The Bicycle Station."

Great service and advice.

02-14-2013

zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecaptainswhiskers

I live in the Brown County area, and I must say, I can't get enough of these trails. It is nice to be able to go whenever you'd like. If you get to Columbus, Ind. Make sure to check out a LBS called "The Bicycle Station."

Great service and advice.

I can't wait to go back but we are in that crappy time of year. Any idea on how the trail conditions have been?>

02-14-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

I would think rather soggy. But, I was talking to a fellow rider the other day and he said he went out and the ground was frozen and seemed to do pretty well. I assume since the temp has dropped again that is a correct statement.

I'll likely be going out within a week, I'll be sure to let you know what it's looking like.

02-28-2013

endo_2011

Brown County: First trip

Any chance this would be ridable on Sunday?

02-28-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

Well with the snow and rain mix its most likely soggy. Sadly.
Also if you decide to ride get at me, if you want a riding partner.

02-28-2013

zephxiii

If it's been anything like up here in Fort Wayne with all the rain/snow/above 30 degrees then I would expect it to be terrible. It's been typically muddy unless the temps have dropped low enough to freeze and harden the trails.

I was hoping it was going to be cold enough this weekend to ride but they've since updated the forecast to a high of 31 and 32. Might be good in the morning though.

02-28-2013

endo_2011

Brown County: First trip

We were hoping to come over from Columbus Ohio. Was hoping that it would be better than Ohio! Wet here

02-28-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

Yeah Endo, pretty wet here maybe some trail building going on. Idk! The shop I work at hasn't posted anything about going out. In the morning it may be frozen enough though.

02-28-2013

endo_2011

Brown County: First trip

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like we are going to wait

03-01-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

@Endo_2011 Maybe next weekend? Friday-Sunday is going to be mid to upper 50's according to the weather. Hopefully it holds out.
Thats the weekend of the 8th-10th. I'll keep an eye on the trails and see if they are soggy or dry up some.

03-01-2013

roxtar

Any truth to the rumor of a DH flow trail being built?

03-01-2013

thecaptainswhiskers

Roxtar, I'm not sure really. I'll ask my boss when I get to work on Monday. I'm sure he'll know.

03-01-2013

endo_2011

Not sure if we can make next week. If we come over, we were definitely looking for a local so we can do a little shuttling. This early in the year, we want to maximize the ride

Don't forget to have the wives, kids, girlfriends, etc. vote. Sign the dog up on FB and let it vote as well. :yesnod:

Several new trails in the works for BCSP.

04-03-2013

zephxiii

Has anyone been out in Brown County this week? Curious on how the trails are.

04-03-2013

Kronk

I see the BCSP trails listed as "yellow" on HMBA.org

04-04-2013

lpranger467

Is there a certain way I should ride Schooner Trace ? I kinda figured I'd ride it out and back or is there better options

04-05-2013

s0ckeyeus

An out and back would be kind of intense. You might want to start by the rally campground and take Limekiln to Walnut to Schooner. You can either take the first Schooner entrance or wait until the entrance closer to Hesitation point. This way you can make a decent lollipop loop. Or you could start at H.P. Limekiln is easy, but you can get some major speed. It might be nice to get a little flow in before and after tackling Schooner. I think either direction is a decent choice.

04-05-2013

zephxiii

Limekiln is a lot of fun so i'd hit that one up at least :)

10-17-2013

zephxiii

Man I didn't make it down here until August and I got my ass kicked on climbing and descending. It was the workout i needed in the spring. Great ride.

I just recently got back down there for a 4 day weekend this past weekend and had an epic trip. 78.9 Miles, 6997ft of elevation, and I set 18 PRs lol.

I also rode Valley Branch Retreat....that was more adventure biking on some single track and fireroads out in the woods. I didn't find it as entertaining as BCSP.

And I rode that mountain bike park in Bloomington as well...it was a big maze of trails. I didn't mind it, it's a nice urban/close trail system to have. It had good elevation too. I only did 5.2 miles but climbed 433ft, not bad.

On these two trips i ended up finding out finally that Super 8 in both Columbus and Bloomington is my motel of choice. Both locations are kinda nice. It's no big deal to request a lower level to make it easy to drag the bike(s) into the room. 2nd level would not be a big deal either for that. Do not stay at the Motel 6 which is complete garbage for nearly the same amount of money!!! I made that mistake in December 2012!!

The Columbus location is in that commercial area right off of I65, next to the McDonalds. BDubs is within walking distance as well as Wallgreens/CVS and another little restaurant I like to get breakfast at. The other really cool thing is that there is a bike path that connects Super 8 to downtown Columbus where there is a brewery and a couple of other places that makes for a nice little night scene. So it was pretty sweet being able to roll into downtown on my bike for some beers at the brewery! Or other general exploring of Columbus.

The Bloomington location worked out well too. There is a pedestrian bridge that is very close to the super 8 that goes over the big 46 and through a neighborhood u can connect to N. College Ave. Upland brewery is only like 11min away via bike...there's a bit of a hill to climb to get to it though, I was sweating like crazy when I sat down at the bar lol. They have adequate bike rack space though to lock up to. You can easily connect to the rest of downtown bloomington via N College Ave. There is a Scotty's Brewhouse downtown but I never made it there and this being a college town there's a lot of other places to check out. I do highly recommend having blinky lights if u plan on riding back in the dark as the connecting roads to the pedestrian crossing are not lit up.

Also keep in mind that Bloomington room rates can be the same during the week, but they can and will be higher and or also will be sold out. The rate jumped up to over 100 bux on the weekend, and on my august trip everything was sold out.

I'd like to stay in Nashville at some point, but i know that will cost more. And eventually i'll buy some camping gear so i can camp as well. I also need to ride Gnaw Bone.

Both trips were pretty epic!

10-17-2013

Harold

Trails down there are great times. Staying in Nashville is less about cost and more about finding space. Lots of B&B's there, but there are lots of events in the area year round and rooms fill up well in advance. Tried booking a room a month out from my anniversary this spring, and got a big fat nada. Don't remember what I ended up doing instead.

10-18-2013

dickeydoo

I love Brown County I'll be stopping in around Thanksgiving. I haven't ridden there since last year and am Jonesing for sumbrowncountyridin.

10-24-2013

roknfnrol

I'd love to ride there soon. It's about an hour north from me here in Louisville, KY. We should get a big group together...